Why do I have panic attacks on planes?

Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Common reasons for panic attacks on a plane include a fear of flying, but they can also be caused by claustrophobia or the fear of enclosed spaces.



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Travel anxiety is the fear of visiting an unfamiliar place. It can also involve the stress that comes with planning your travels. Even if you have no history of anxiety, the idea of being outside familiar territory can throw you into panic mode.

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This article discusses some strategies for managing panic attacks on a plane, including:
  1. Taking medication for panic attacks.
  2. Using visualization.
  3. Practicing relaxation techniques.
  4. Finding healthy distractions.
  5. Taking classes to combat fear of flying.
  6. Seeking support from other fliers.
  7. Thinking realistically.


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Aerophobia is a fear of flying. It's very common, affecting more than 25 million adults in the U.S. Psychotherapy can usually help people overcome their fear and fly without extreme anxiety or panic attacks.

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Travel anxiety is not an officially diagnosed mental health issue, but can be severe enough to interfere with people's daily lives. People with travel anxiety may be unable to see family and friends, go on vacation, or travel for work.

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The key symptoms of travel phobia are excessive fear and avoidance of travel situations. These symptoms overlap with those of PTSD. In particular, persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma and fear and other negative emotions in response to trauma reminders are common PTSD symptoms.

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How to Handle Travel Stress
  1. Before you check in for your flight, check in with yourself. ...
  2. Pinpoint what is it is about travel that makes you stressed. ...
  3. Make a packing list and check it twice. ...
  4. Download your games and books in advance. ...
  5. Keep yourself sustained by prepping food. ...
  6. Print out important documents before you leave.


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  1. Talk to them beforehand about how they're feeling. Your passenger might be afraid to tell you they're nervous. ...
  2. Ask if they experience motion sickness. ...
  3. Go for short flights first. ...
  4. Tell your passenger what you're doing. ...
  5. Give them something to focus on. ...
  6. Stay calm and be supportive.


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Travel can be a relaxing escape, but it can also be stressful and affect your mental health. Travel-related stress can spark mood changes, depression, and anxiety. Travel can worsen symptoms in people with existing mental illness.

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While Xanax may be useful for flying on an airplane, it will not help you with your anxiety. It may help in the moment but you will not tackle your fear of flying if you are asleep the whole flight. If you ran out of your medication or left it at home, the anxiety will still exist if you go on an airplane again.

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The FAA encourages pilots to seek help if they have a mental health condition since most, if treated, do not disqualify a pilot from flying.

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